OTTAWA, Kan. –
Maile Deutsch has been named Associate Head Coach of the Ottawa University softball program. Announcing the appointment, Head Coach
Jay Kahnt added that this was an interim step for Coach Maile because she is slated to take over as Head Coach at the end of this season.
Coach Kahnt, who announced his retirement, said, "For 23 years, I have worked and enjoyed building this program up to elite status in the conference; I cannot think of anyone better to succeed me. Undoubtedly, Coach Maile will take this program to the next level."
Coach Maile has been part of the OU softball program for three seasons, starting in the Fall of 2021 as a graduate assistant before being named an assistant in the Fall of 2022 and now Associate Head Coach.
"I am very honored and excited to be the next head softball coach at Ottawa University. I am grateful to Coach Kahnt for his confidence in me and my abilities to continue the winning culture that our program has established. I am also thankful for a strong support system within our athletics department and campus community. I look forward to continuing to build a positive and empowering family environment where players truly exemplify our program's standard, culture, and expectations," Deutsch said.
At OU, Coach Maile has coached one KCAC Pitcher of the Year, one KCAC Newcomer of the Year, four KCAC Gold Glove selections, and 21 All-KCAC selections. She also helped the Braves to a 2022 and 2023 KCAC regular season championship and two trips to the NAIA Opening Round.
Before coming to Ottawa University, Coach Maile spent four years in the McPherson softball program. In 2021, she was named NFCA Player of the Year, First Team NFCA All-Region, First Team NFCA All-American, CoSIDA Academic All-American, CoSIDA Academic All-District, NAIA First Team All-American, KCAC Co-Player of the Year, First Team All-KCAC, Light and Life Student Leader of the Year. Deutsch was a McPherson College Presidential Scholar and earned the 2020 Life and Light Good Neighbor Award.
She finished her Bulldog career with a .392 (.519 in 2021) batting average, a .618 slugging percentage, and a .464 on-base percentage.
Maile Deutsch had 194 hits, 53 doubles, one triple, and 19 home runs.
Born in San Francisco, Calif., Coach Maile grew up in Palmer, Texas, and graduated from McPherson College in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a chemistry minor. She earned her MBA with a population health and healthcare management concentration from Ottawa in May 2022.
